| Pilates Pilates is an amazing tool for correct postural awareness! Pilates has been around for 78 years, and recently has become one of the most popular forms of exercise in rehabilitation. Some brief history Joseph H. Pilates was born near Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1880. He was a sick child who suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. Pilates dedicated his entire life to becoming physically stronger. By the time he was 14, he was posing for anatomy charts. In 1912 when WWI broke out, while teaching self-defense to English detectives, he was interned on the Isle of Man and worked as a nurse developing what he termed Contrology. Contrology, which he defined as, the science and art of coordinated body-mind-spirit development through natural movements under strict control of the will. After the war, Pilates immigrated to New York and opened a studio in 1926, which soon developed a following of dancers, athletes, and businessmen. He died in 1967 at the age of 87. Today, the exercises have become extremely popular with general public. Many principles of Pilates seem deceptively simple but when combined they create a system of exercise that will strengthen the deep postural muscles that are important for correct functional posture, and ease of movement. As Joseph H. Pilates maintained, Contrology develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit. The emphasis of Pilates work, focuses on flexibility, lengthening, stretching, balancing of muscle groups. Pilates requires an individual to be responsible for their whole body through movement involving 6 guiding principals. #1 is Concentration. Pilates would state, It's the mind that builds the body. #2 is Control. Without control, it's easy to let momentum take over causing incorrect muscle usage and faulty movement patterns. #3 is Center or what is referred to as the Core. The other 3 principals would be Precision, Flowing Movement, and lastly but most importantly, (how to) Breath. Posture literally is built around the spine and Joseph Pilates believed that a healthy spine is vitally important to overall wellness. When your body is properly aligned your muscles are relaxed and proper tonicity is maintained. Every body has strengths and weaknesses. Pilates develops an awareness of your body alignments, corrects and maintains good balance, flexibility, and posture to live life as Pilates maintained... with zest, vitality and happiness. | ||
